Bill Belichick, Patriots committed to run game

Tuesday

Oct 2, 2012 at 6:00 AM

By Rich Garven TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The Patriots had a multitude of problems while suffering back-to-back defeats to the Phoenix Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens that dropped them below .500 for the first time in nine years, including an unproductive ground game.

Not that it was for a lack of trying.

The Patriots ran the ball 28 times against the Cardinals, but generated just 90 yards. That worked out to an average of 3.2 yards a carry.

They ran 34 times against the Ravens. It added up to 77 yards and a 2.3 average, which is barely better than falling forward after taking a handoff.

So coach Bill Belichick challenged his offense to rectify the situation leading up to Sunday's ultra-important game against the Buffalo Bills. At the same time, he showed his commitment by making the run a featured part of the game plan even though the Bills feature one of the finer front fours in football.

Things couldn't have worked out better as the Patriots turned 40 carries into 247 yards, 19 first downs, and a team record-tying four touchdowns in a 52-28 victory to move from last place to first (tied) in the AFC East.

“We had a week of hard work, we really did,” second-year running back Stevan Ridley said yesterday during an appearance on the NFL Network. “Coach said he wanted to come in and run the football. For us, it was just going in there and getting behind our offensive line. It's a beautiful thing when a game plan comes together.”

Ridley rushed for 106 yards and Brandon Bolden, an undrafted rookie from Mississippi, had 137 yards. It had been 32 years since the Patriots had two 100-yard rushers in a game.

Bolden did have runs of 27 and 20 yards, but what really stood out was the consistency of the backs. There were only two negative rushes, both for minus-1 yard by Bolden, as the Patriots averaged a ridiculous 6.2 yards a carry — many coming after fending off initial contact.

That kind of play and production is enough to get a smile out of a certain well-known perfectionist.

“I think the thing that really matters the most with the backs,” Belichick said, “is how many yards they gain on their own. Any back can really run until the first guy gets to him, that's not really that special. But it's what guys do after they could or should be brought down, whether they can continue to add yards to the play after that. That's the mark, really, of a good runner.”

And the offensive line, despite having to replace Pro Bowler Logan Mankins with journeyman Donald Thomas at left guard due to injury, did its part by regularly giving the backs an opportunity to put their best foot forward.

“Our offensive line really met the challenge,” quarterback Tom Brady gushed during his weekly paid appearance on WEEI radio. “I think you give those guys all the credit in the world to create holes for the running backs, who also did a great job running the ball, finding the holes, taking care of the football, running with good pad level, breaking tackles, yards after contact.”

The Patriots certainly got an unexpected boost from the Bills, who played most of the game in a sub defense with one linebacker and six defensive backs. That was the plan going in and, strangely enough, coach Chan Gailey never wavered from it even as his defense was getting bludgeoned.

“That's what we have to do,” Brady said. “If teams want to leave their nickel groupings on the field, then we've got to be able to (run the ball). It was a great effort by the offensive line, who played just great against a defensive front that really improved itself over the course of the offseason.”

The NFL is, first and foremost, a pass-happy league, but it's worth noting the Patriots are 32-1 (.970) under Belichick when they have a 100-yard rusher. They're 40-9 (.816) when they have a 300-yard passer.